Online digital image-based product ordering system

ABSTRACT

A system is provided that allows a photographer to take images for a customer and provide those images to order servicing equipment with which the images are placed on-line for the customer to view. The customer may place orders for the images and products and services related to the images. The order servicing equipment may credit the photographer when the customer orders images, products, or services. Images may be manipulated before images, products, or services are ordered. Images may be taken using film-based cameras or digital image acquisition equipment. Image presentation options may be selected. Content may be appended to the images. Web sites and digital albums may be created using the images. The photographer may check the status of assignments that have been submitted to the order servicing equipment and may check on account status. Different rights levels may be established for different parties. Loyalty rewards may be awarded for frequent use of the system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to photography, and more particularly, tocreating, processing, selling, and distributing image-based products andservices to customers.

Digital image technology is being used to offer various on-linephotographic services. For example, services are available that allowconsumers who have their film developed to receive on-line access totheir images. Consumers with access to the Internet may order reprintsby clicking on various on-screen prompts. Services based on digitalimages are offered. For example, consumers may download images forprinting in their home. Digital images can also be placed in on-linephoto albums or sent to friends and relatives using e-mail.

Some mail-order photo labs allow consumers to receive their images on afloppy diskette or a compact disk when they are developed.

Digital imaging technology is being used by professional photographers.Digital cameras are available that allow fairly high-quality images tobe taken digitally. By attaching a monitor to the camera, photographerscan display images to allow clients to decide immediately whether theyfind a particular image acceptable. Because digital images may beprinted as soon as they have been acquired, novelty photographs such asa child posing with Santa or other subject for which immediate resultsare desirable are possible.

Digital image acquisition systems are available that allow images to becropped on-screen after they have been acquired. However, such systemsare generally self-contained and do not allow images to be manipulatedover the Internet.

Stock photographers have used the Internet to promote their imageportfolios to potential buyers, but have generally not used the Internetto sell images.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide techniquesfor creating, processing, selling, distributing, and otherwise usingimage-based products and services.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This and other objects of the invention are accomplished in accordancewith the principle of the present invention by providing a system inwhich a customer may view images taken by a photographer and may orderproducts or services related to the images. The photographer may takeimages for the customer using a film-based camera or using digital imageacquisition equipment. The photographer may collect customer informationsuch as the customer's e-mail address or mailing address manually orelectronically. For example, the photographer or customer may enter thecustomer information into a portable computer or handheld computingdevice on which an application for image acquisition and customerinformation collection is implemented.

Images may be made available to the customer using order servicingequipment. The order servicing equipment may contain an order servicingcomputer, film development equipment, image digitizing equipment,printing equipment, packaging and mailing equipment, and otherequipment. The photographer may provide images to the order servicingequipment manually or electronically. For example, the photographer maymail film to the order servicing equipment for developing by theoperator of the order servicing equipment. If desired, order servicingequipment may be configured to provide the photographer with anopportunity to upload digital images to the order servicing equipment.

The photographer may mail the customer information to the orderservicing equipment. If desired, the order servicing equipment may beconfigured to provide the photographer with an opportunity to upload thecustomer information to the order servicing equipment.

The customer may view images by viewing proofs or by viewing the imageson-line. The customer may be notified when the images are available tobe viewed. For example, the customer may be notified by e-mail when theimages are available for viewing on-line. The customer may be providedwith an opportunity to view images on-line by, for example, providingthe customer with an opportunity to view the images on a web page. Theweb page may be password controlled. The customer may select thepassword when the images are taken or may be notified of the password inthe e-mail notifying the customer that the images are available.

The customer and other suitable parties may be provided with anopportunity to place an order for image-related products or services.For example, the order servicing equipment may be used to provide a webpage that may be used to place orders on-line.

The order servicing equipment may fulfill the order. For example, theorder servicing equipment may be used to print images, package images,and mail images to the customer. The order servicing equipment may alsobe used to create image-based products and services, package theproducts or services, and mail the products and services to thecustomer. If desired, orders for images and other image-based productsand services may be fulfilled using a fulfillment facility that isseparate from the order servicing equipment.

When a customer places an order, some of the revenues from the order maybe distributed to the photographer. For example, an account may beestablished for the photographer at the order servicing equipment. Whena customer places an order, the photographer may automatically receive acredit in the account. If the photographer has an account at anindependent financial institution, the photographer may be credited byusing the order servicing equipment to electronically transfer thephotographer's share of the revenues into that account. If desired, thesystem may credit the photographer by having a check issued.

The order servicing equipment may be used to provide the photographerwith an on-line opportunity to create new assignments and to submitimages and customer information for those assignments. The photographermay specify the type of assignment that is being created (e.g., wedding,school photos, commercial, etc.). The photographer may also specify aname for the assignment. Customer information and images for theassignment may be provided to the order servicing equipment on-line. Theorder servicing equipment may be used to provide the photographer withan opportunity to check assignment status information electronically.For example, the photographer may be allowed to access a web pagecontaining status information.

The photographer can also view account information using a web page orother suitable arrangement. The image-based products and services thatare offered to the customer may by tied to the type of assignmentinvolved. For example, a customer viewing sports team images may bepresented with an opportunity to order sporting equipment and othersports-related products.

The photographer, customer or other party may manipulate images. Forexample, the customer may use an on-line editing application to cropimages or to change image attributes such as color balance, contrast,etc. The photographer, customer, or other party may also manipulateimages to remove red-eye, to change hair color, or to change thebackground of the images. For example, the customer may manipulateimages by selecting desired backgrounds from backgrounds containing, forexample, images of actors, cartoon characters, characters in costume,magazine cover templates, etc.

The photographer or other appropriate party may select which images arepresented to the customer. For example, the photographer may submit filmto the order servicing equipment for developing. The images may bedigitized at the order servicing equipment. The photographer may reviewthe images on-line and may select a subset of the images to makeavailable for the customer to view on-line.

The photographer, customer, or other suitable party may select imagepresentation options. For example, if the images taken by thephotographer are for a wedding, the order servicing equipment mayprovide the customer with an on-line opportunity to order a weddingalbum. The photographer, customer, or other party, may select the albumcover type (leather, plastic, etc.), page weight, cover and page color,etc.

The photographer, customer, or other party may append content to theimages. Videos may be created and content may be appended to the videos.The videos and images may be integrated into, for example, web pages ordigital albums containing both still images and video.

The photographer, customer, and other parties may not have the samerights to manipulate images, select images for presentation to thecustomer, append content, purchase products or services, view images,etc. The system may accommodate different rights levels for differentparties. For example, the photographer may be allowed to edit imageson-line, whereas friends of the customer may not be allowed to editimages on-line.

The photographer or other party may be awarded loyalty reward points forfrequent use of the system. A web page or other interface may be used toprovide the photographer with an opportunity to check on current loyaltyreward account status information, to redeem reward points, or to earnreferral bonuses, etc.

Further features of the invention, its nature and various advantageswill be more apparent from the accompanying drawings and the followingdetailed description of the preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an illustrative system in accordancewith the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of illustrative steps involved in making imagesand related products and services available to customers for ordering inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a system in which film may be deliveredfrom photographer equipment to order servicing equipment in accordancewith the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of illustrative steps involved in taking imageswith film and making those images and related products and servicesavailable to customers for ordering in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a system in which digital images may beprovided from photographer equipment to order servicing equipment inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is flow chart of illustrative steps involved in taking imageswith image acquisition equipment and making those images available tocustomers for ordering in accordance with the present invention.

FIGS. 7 a and 7 b are flow charts of illustrative steps involved inusing systems such as the system of FIGS. 1, 3, and 5 in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the acquisition of images and customerinformation with image acquisition equipment and customer informationcollection equipment in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating how image acquisition equipment andcustomer information collection equipment may be based on a film cameraand a computer in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating how image acquisition equipment andcustomer information collection equipment may be based on a digitalcamera and a computer in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 11 shows an illustrative screen that may be provided to aphotographer using photographer equipment for use by the photographer inacquiring images and collecting customer information in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 12 shows another illustrative screen that may be provided to aphotographer for use in acquiring images and collecting customerinformation in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 13 shows an illustrative web page that may be used by aphotographer to indicate that the photographer desires to set up a newaccount or access an existing account in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 14 shows an illustrative web page that may be used to set up aphotographer account in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 15 shows an illustrative web page that may be used to provide aphotographer with an opportunity to select various options relating toassignments and account status in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 16 shows an illustrative web page that may be used to provide aphotographer with an opportunity to review revenues in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 17 shows an illustrative web page that may be provided to aphotographer to allow the photographer to review assignment status inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 18 shows an illustrative web page that may be used to provide aphotographer with account information in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 19 shows an illustrative web page that may be used to provide aphotographer with an opportunity to enter assignment information inaccordance with the present innovation.

FIG. 20 shows an illustrative web page that may be used to provide aphotographer with an opportunity to upload customer information to orderservicing equipment in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 21 shows an illustrative web page that may be used to provide aphotographer with an opportunity to enter customer information for acommercial assignment in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 22 shows an illustrative web page that may be used to provide aphotographer with an opportunity to enter information on a customer inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 23 shows a web page that may be used to provide a photographer withoptions relating to providing images to order servicing equipment inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 24 shows a web page that may be used to provide a photographer withan opportunity to print an order form in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 25 shows a web page that may be used to provide a photographer withan opportunity to upload images electronically in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 26 shows an illustrative e-mail message that may be sent to acustomer to notify the customer that the images taken by thephotographer are available for on-line viewing in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention.

FIG. 27 shows an illustrative web page that may be used to provide acustomer with an opportunity to enter a password prior to being providedwith on-line access to images in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 28 shows an illustrative web page that may be used to provide anopportunity to select options for ordering image-based products andservices in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 29 shows another illustrative web page that may be used to providean opportunity to select options for ordering various image-basedproducts and services in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 30 shows an illustrative web page that may be used to provide anopportunity to create an image-based e-mail message in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 31 shows an illustrative web page that may be used to provide anopportunity to select images to include in a web site in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 32 shows an illustrative web page that may be used to provide anopportunity to specify a password to be used before access to a weddingweb site is grated in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 33 shows an illustrative web page that may be used to provide anopportunity to manipulate an image by cropping in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 34 shows an illustrative web page that may be used to provide anopportunity to manipulate images by cropping, changing contrast, andchanging other image attributes in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 35 is a flow chart of illustrative steps involved in providing aphotographer with an opportunity to select which images are to beprovided to a customer, to edit images, and to select image presentationoptions in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 36 shows an illustrative web page that may be used to provide anopportunity to a photographer or other party to select on-line whichimages are presented to a customer and how they are presented inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 37 shows an illustrative web page that may be used to provide anopportunity to select image presentation options on-line in accordancewith the present invention.

FIG. 38 is a flow chart of illustrative steps involved in using a systemsuch as the system of FIG. 1 to provide opportunities to edit images,select image presentation options, and append content in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 39 is a flow chart of illustrative steps involved in using a systemsuch as the system of FIG. 1 to provide opportunities to performfunctions including converting video to digital form, providing video toorder servicing equipment, editing video on-line, selecting videopresentation options and appending content, and other such video-relatedfeatures in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 40 is a table illustrating how different rights may be assigned tovarious parties under different scenarios in accordance with the presentinvention. The lower portion of FIG. 40 contains a key for the numbersin the table.

FIG. 41 is a schematic diagram illustrating how order servicingequipment may include a processing lab and a computer that need not beat the same location in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 42 shows an illustrative web page that may be used to provideinformation on loyalty reward account status, to provide an opportunityto redeem rewards, and to provide an opportunity to earn loyalty rewardpoints for referring another party to the system in accordance with thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A system 10 in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIG. 1.A photographer at photographer equipment 12 and a customer at customerequipment 14 may be electronically connected to order servicingequipment 16 by communications network 18 or other suitablecommunications paths. If desired, communications network 18 may be theInternet or may be based on the Internet. Communications network 18 mayalso be based on dial-up modem connections, private networks, local-areanetworks, wide-area networks, telephone networks, satellite or cablelinks, fiber optic links, radio-frequency links, infrared or otherfree-space links, etc. Although shown as a common communications networkin FIG. 1, the various communications paths used by system 10 may beseparate from each other if desired, so long as the relevant parties maycommunicate.

The arrangement of FIG. 1 allows a photographer to take images that areto be sold to the customer and to have those images made available tothe customer for on-line purchasing using order servicing equipment 16.For example, the photographer may take school photographs for a highschool. After taking images of the students, the photographer mayprovide the images to order servicing equipment 16. At order servicingequipment 16, the images are placed on-line, so that the students mayuse computers (e.g., customer computers such as customer computer 14 ofFIG. 1) to order image-based products and services. For example, thestudents may purchase enlargements, tee shirts, mugs, digital images,web site services, electronic greeting cards, etc.

Electronic products or services may be provided to the customer or othersuitable recipients over communications network 18. Tangible items suchas enlargements may be shipped to customers from order servicingequipment 16 or from order fulfillment facility 20.

In the school photo example, students are in effect the customers ofboth the photographer and the order servicing operator. System 10 may beused to automatically credit the proceeds of the students' orders to thephotographer. System 10 may also be used to credit the order servicingequipment operator. Funds that are collected from the students by orderservicing equipment 16 may be transferred to the account of thephotographer at financial institution 22 via communications network 18.If desired, an account may be maintained for the photographer at orderservicing equipment 16. The photographer may be credited by creditingthis account. The photographer may also be credited using a check orother such financial instrument.

Additional parties such as graphics designers, video productionspecialists, or other image manipulation or generation professionals(hereinafter sometimes referred to generically as “media consultants”may use video and graphics editing and production equipment 24 tofacilitate the creation and delivery of services based on thephotographer's images. For example, a web designer may use equipment 24to create a custom web site for the customer. Order servicing equipment16 may be used to distribute some of the proceeds of the customer'sorders to the account of the web designer or to otherwise credit the webdesigner.

Illustrative steps involved in providing image-based products andservices to customers with system 10 are shown in FIG. 2. At step 26,the photographer may take images and collect information on a customeror customers. The images may be taken digitally or on film.

The photographer may take images for any suitable event or project. Forexample, images may be taken at a wedding or other celebration. Ifdesired, there may be more than one customer at an event. For example, abirthday party may be held in celebration of the birthdays of two ormore people. Each person may be an individual customer.

Images may be taken in public locations such as in a shopping mall,amusement park, airport, or other public location as a novelty item(e.g., images of people taking a harbor cruise or an amusement parkride, images of people with Santa, a cartoon character, or a moviecharacter, or images at any other suitable portrait opportunity). Imagesmay be taken in a dedicated studio. For example, images may be taken ata studio where the customer is provided with costumes to dress up (e.g.,as a wild west cowboy, etc.).

Images may be taken for a private or public institution such as acorporation, firm, governmental body, club, association, or the like.For example, images may be taken for a school, athletic team,cheerleading group, dance club, music club, religious group, militaryorganization, etc.

Images may be taken for commercial clients. For example, images may betaken of products for a catalog or of architecture, landscapes, people,or other subjects. Assignments may involve taking images of a functionsuch as an awards dinner, or of a sporting event, news event, or thelike.

The information collected by the photographer depends on the type ofproject or event involved. For example, if the images are schoolphotographs and customers are students, the information that iscollected may include each student's name, class, telephone number, homeaddress, and e-mail address, etc. If the images are wedding photographs,the photographer may collect information on the names of the bride andgroom, telephone numbers, home and e-mail addresses, etc. If the imagesare product shots for a commercial assignment, the information that iscollected may include the corporate name of the customer, information onthe appropriate contact person at the customer's location, telephone,fax, corporate and e-mail address information, etc. If the images arenovelty portraits, the information collected may include the informationon the subject of the photograph and the names of friends or family whomight want to purchase products and services based on that portrait.Information on friends, family and other people interested in theproject in addition to the customer may be collected for any suitableproject.

If desired, information on multiple customers may be collected duringthe same assignment. For example, when school photographs are taken, thephotographer may collect information on multiple student customers.Because customer information may be collected centrally and images maybe made available for viewing centrally, using system 10 provides anefficient way in which to reach many customers at once.

After the images have been taken and the information collected on thecustomer, the images and customer information may be provided to orderservicing equipment 16 (FIG. 1) at step 28. The images and customerinformation may be provided to order servicing equipment 16electronically or by delivery. For example, the images may be providedby hand delivering or mailing exposed film to order servicing equipment16 or by transmitting digital images over communications network 18.Digital images may taken digitally or may be created by digitizing filmdeveloped by the photographer. The photographer may develop film withphotographer equipment 12 or by using a lab separate from photographerequipment 12 and order servicing equipment 16. Customer information maybe provided to order servicing equipment 16 by delivering a completedform or diskette to order servicing equipment 16 or by transmittingcustomer information from photographer equipment 12 to order servicingequipment 16 via communications network 18.

At step 30, order servicing equipment 16 may be used to provide thecustomer with an opportunity to place on-line orders for image-basedproducts and services (e.g., images, tee shirts, wedding albums, webpages, trading cards with images of school athletes etc.). For example,order servicing equipment 16 may place school photographs on a web siteand may notify the students whose photographs are available. Studentsmay browse the web site to determine if the images are of interest.Students may then place orders for desired images and image-basedproducts over the Internet.

If desired, additional parties such as video production specialists andweb designers or other graphics artists may participate in the creationand modification of the image-based products and services using videoand graphics editing and production equipment. System 10 may also allowcustomers and photographers to edit images and add content for theproducts and services on-line.

At step 32, order servicing equipment 16 and order fulfillment facility20 may be used to fulfill the customer's order. For example, thecustomer's order may be for five 8×10 enlargements and a tee-shirt bothbased on a particular school photograph. After the customer selects thedesired image at step 30, order servicing equipment 16 may print thefive enlargements and mail them to the customer. Order servicingequipment 16 may also provide a digital copy of the photograph to orderfulfillment facility 20, which may place the photograph on a tee-shirtor other item and may mail the tee-shirt to the customer.

Step 32 also involves crediting the appropriate parties with revenuederived from the sale of the image-based products and services. Forexample, the photographer's account (whether an account maintained atorder servicing equipment 16 or an independent financial institution)may be credited to reflect the photographer's participation in theproject. If work was contributed by a media consultant, the mediaconsultant may be provided with a portion of the revenues. Orderservicing equipment 16 may credit the revenues to the photographer andother parties. Part of the revenues may be retained by the operator oforder servicing equipment 16 as reimbursement for services in connectionwith providing the image-based products and services. The crediting ofthe photographer and other parties involved in the order may involveelectronic transfers between financial institutions such as financialinstitution 22 of FIG. 1 and may involve the crediting of accountsmaintained, for example, by the operator at order servicing equipment16. If desired, the photographer may be credited by issuing a check orotherwise directly paying the photographer.

As shown in FIG. 3, photographer equipment 12 may include a film-basedcamera 34 and a photographer computer 36. The photographer may takeimages on film and have the film delivered to order servicing equipment16. The film may be developed using film developing equipment 38 atorder servicing equipment 16. Film developing equipment 38 may be basedon any suitable equipment for developing film, such as an automatedprocessor or processors capable of handling C-41, E-6, and traditionalblack and white films. Film developing equipment 38 may be highlyautomated, which saves labor costs, but increases the cost andcomplexity of the equipment. Film developing equipment 38 may also beless automated, which may reduce the cost of equipment 38, but which mayalso make the process of operating equipment 38 more labor-intensive.

Order servicing equipment 16 may include custom film-based printingequipment 40 that allows personnel at order servicing equipment 16 toprint custom enlargements or create other image-based products usingdeveloped film from film development equipment 38. Order servicingequipment 16 may also include automated film-based printing equipment42. Automated film-based printing equipment 42 may be any suitable printprocessing machine. Images on developed film may be digitized usingimage digitizing equipment 44. Digital images may be provided to orderservicing computer 46 so that they may be accessed by customers viacommunications network 18. Digital images may also be provided todigital printing equipment 48 for printing. Printed images from customfilm-based printing equipment 40, automated film-based printingequipment 34, and digital printing equipment 48 may be packaged andmailed to customers and other recipients using packaging and mailingequipment 50.

Illustrative steps involved in using a system such that of FIG. 3 areshown in FIG. 4. At step 52, the photographer takes images with afilm-based camera and collects information on the customer. For example,the photographer may take school photographs with a 35 millimeter ormedium format camera. Student information may be collected by havingeach student fill out a form. Information from the forms may be enteredinto photographer computer 36 or may be entered into a computer atanother suitable location. If desired, a notebook computer or handheldcomputer device may be used by the student or assistants of thephotographer to enter such information directly at the photographiclocation. If desired, student information may be provided in the form ofa list maintained by the school.

At step 54, the photographer delivers the film and the customerinformation to the order servicing equipment 16. Film may be handdelivered or mailed. If the customer information has been provided tophotographer computer 36, the customer information may be provided toorder servicing computer 46 electronically using communications network18. If the customer information is on printed forms, the customerinformation may be mailed to order servicing equipment 16 and enteredinto order servicing computer 46 or other suitable computer at orderservicing equipment 16.

At step 56, the order servicing equipment operator may process the filmand provide the customer with an opportunity to order images and relatedproducts and services on-line. The opportunity to order image-basedproducts and services may be provided, for example, by digitizing theimages and placing them on a web page at which the customer may selectvarious products or services, provide information on the intendedrecipients of the purchased products and services, provide credit cardinformation, arrange for shipping, etc.

At step 58, the system fulfills the order by shipping the requestedimage-based products to the customer and by providing the customer withaccess to the image-based services. The system also credits thephotographer (e.g., by transferring funds into the photographersaccount).

If desired, the photographer may provide digital images to orderservicing equipment 16. As shown in FIG. 5, photographer equipment 12may include film processing equipment 60 for developing film from camera34. Processed film from film processing equipment 60 may be provided toimage digitizing equipment 62, which may be used by the photographer todigitize the images on the developed film. Image digitizing equipment 62may provide corresponding digital images to photographer computer 36 fortransmission to order servicing computer 46 of order servicing equipment16.

If desired, the photographer may have the film developed by a lab suchas lab 64. Lab 64 may have film processing equipment 66 for developingfilm and image digitizing equipment 68 for digitizing images from thefilm after it has been developed. Digital images from lab 64 may beprovided to photographer computer 36 by transmitting them overcommunications network 18 or by delivering a digital storage media suchas a photo compact disc (photo CD), diskette or other suitable storagemedia to the photographer who may transmit the images to order servicingequipment 16 over communications network 18 using photographer computer36 or who may deliver the digital storage media to order servicingequipment 16. If desired, digital images from lab 64 may be provideddirectly to order servicing equipment 16.

Another way in which the photographer may provide digital images toorder servicing equipment 16 is by using digital camera 70 to takedigital images. The photographer may transfer digital images fromdigital camera 70 to photographer computer 36 over communications link72, which may be a suitable wireless link such as an infrared orradio-frequency link or a suitable wired link such as an IEEE-1394communications link or other link formed from wire, cable, fiber optics,etc. A removable digital storage media such as a memory card, floppydiskette or the like may be used to transfer digital images from digitalcamera 70 to a digital media reader 74 that is attached to photographercomputer 36 or is a part of photographer computer 36.

Order servicing equipment 16 may receive the digital images overcommunications network 18 and may store them in order servicing computer46. All of the digital images or a selected group of the digital imagesmay be made available for viewing and ordering by the customer. Theimages may be printed by digital printing equipment 48, which may be,for example, a color inkjet printer, dye sublimation printer, laserprinter, or other suitable printer. Printed images and image-relatedproducts may be mailed to customers using packaging and mailingequipment 50. Packaging and mailing equipment may be automated to reducelabor costs or may involve manual labor to reduce equipment costs. Theoperator of order servicing equipment 16 may control the operation ofthe order servicing equipment 16. For example, in the system of FIG. 5the operator at order servicing equipment 16 may control order servicingequipment 46 (e.g., to select which photographs are displayed to thecustomer), may control the image printing equipment (e.g., to adjustprinter settings), and may control packaging and mailing equipment 50(e.g., to adjust how packages are packaged and mailed). The operator mayuse more than one person to operate order servicing equipment 16.

Illustrative steps involved in using the system of FIG. 5 are shown inFIG. 6. At step 76, the photographer takes images with image acquisitionequipment such as a digital camera or the like and collects informationon the customer. If there are multiple customers, friends and family, orother parties involved in the project, the photographer may collectadditional information (e.g., the e-mail addresses of the parties). Thephotographer may collect information using a computer or other device ormay collect information manually. At step 78 the photographer providesimages to order servicing equipment 16 electronically, over network 18.Digital images may be provided using any suitable transmissiontechnique. For example, images may be transmitted using an InternetProtocol approach, as e-mail transmissions, using a file transferprotocol (FTP) approach, or using any other suitable transmissiontechnique. Images may be compressed to save storage space andtransmission times or may be uncompressed to maximize image quality.

At step 80, order servicing equipment 16 is used to provide the customerwith an opportunity to order images and related products and servicesover communications network 18 (e.g., the Internet). If the photographeris a first time user of the system, order servicing equipment 16 may beused to open an account for the photographer. If the photographer has anexisting account, order servicing equipment 16 may be used to allow thephotographer to access the account on-line. If the photographer has anexisting account, order servicing equipment 16 may be used to accept thedigital images from the photographer and to make them available for thecustomer to view and to use in ordering image-based products andservices. The photographer, the operator at order servicing equipment16, the media consultant at video and graphics editing and productionequipment 124 or other suitable parties, may be involved in determiningwhich image-based products and services are made available to thecustomer. After the customer places an order, order servicing equipment16 is used to fulfill the customer's order and to credit thephotographer a portion of the revenue from the customer at step 82.

Illustrative steps involved in using the systems of FIGS. 1, 3, and 5are shown in FIGS. 7 a and 7 b. As shown in FIG. 7 a, images are takenat step 84. Film-based images may be taken with film-based equipment(step 86). Digital images may be taken with digital image acquisitionequipment (step 88). At step 90, information is collected. For example,the photographer may collect customer information by writing it down(step 92) or by entering it directly into a computer or other electronicdevice (step 94).

At step 96, the images are provided to order servicing equipment 16. Forexample, images may be provided by mailing film (step 98) hand carryingfilm (step 100), e-mailing digital images (step 102), uploading imagesusing the World Wide Web (step 104), transmitting images using a modemlink (step 106), or mailing or hand carrying images on digital media(step 108).

At step 110, customer information is provided to order servicingequipment 16. For example, customer information may be provided bymailing (step 112), hand carrying (step 116), e-mailing a customerinformation file or the like (step 114), uploading information using theweb (step 118), or transmitting information using a modem link (step120).

At step 122, the customer (or customers) may be provided with anopportunity to view the images. For example, the customer may beprovided with an opportunity to view images by providing the customerwith an opportunity to view images over the web (step 124), by mailingor hand carrying proofs or digital media containing the images to thecustomer (step 126), by e-mailing images to the customer (step 128), bytransmitting images to the customer using a modem link (step 130), or bymailing or hand carrying proofs or digital media to the photographer whodelivers the proofs or digital media to the customer (step 132).

As shown in FIG. 7 b, the customer may be provided with an opportunityto place an order for images and related products and services. Forexample, the customer may be provided with an opportunity to place anorder over the web (step 136), may be allowed to place order usinge-mail (step 138), may be allowed to place an order using a modem link(step 140), may be allowed to order by mail or in person (step 142), ormay be allowed to order through the photographer (step 144).

At step 146, the customer's order may be fulfilled. For example, orderservicing equipment 16 may fulfill the customer's order by printingimages, packaging the printed images, and mailing the packaged images tothe customer and other recipients (steps 148, 150, and 152). The systemmay be used to fulfill the customer's order by creating an image-basedproduct (step 154), packaging the product (step 156), and mailing theproduct to the customer and other recipients (step 158). If desired, thesystem may be used to fulfill the customer's order by creating animage-based digital product (step 160) and distributing the digitalproduct to the customer and other recipients (step 162). An image-basedservice may be provided at step 164.

At step 166, the system may credit the photographer and other suitableparties. For example, the system may electronically credit the accountof the photographer (step 168), may issue a check or direct a financialinstitution to issue a check for the photographer (step 170), or maycredit the photographer's financial institution (step 172).

The steps shown in FIGS. 7 a and 7 b are merely illustrative. Othersuitable steps may be used to provide image-based products and servicesto customers if desired. Moreover, additional steps may be involved. Forexample, if a graphics designer participates in creating a web pagebased on the images taken by the photographer, the system may performadditional steps such as providing the designer with an opportunity toappend content to the images and crediting the designer with a portionof the revenues from sales to the customer. These and other aspects ofthe invention are described further below.

As shown in FIG. 8, images may be taken of a subject 174 using imageacquisition equipment 176. Customer information may be collected usingcustomer information collection equipment 178 in those circumstances inwhich the subject is the customer. Situations in which the subject isthe customer arise when, for example, the photographer takes images fora school photo session, for a wedding, for a portrait, or othersituation in which the subject of the images may desire to purchaseimages and related products and services.

Image acquisition equipment 176 may be a film-based camera, an instantphotography camera, a digital camera, a digital camera built into acomputer or other suitable platform, a video camera that uses a stillimages capture card in a personal computer, or any other suitableequipment suitable for capturing images. If desired, image acquisitionequipment 176 may have the capability to capture short video clips orfull-length videos. Such video-capable image acquisition equipment mayuse digital or analog (film, magnetic tape, etc.) recording techniques.

Customer information collection equipment 178 may be a notepad for thephotographer to write down information, a printed form for a customer towrite down information, a computer, a personal digital assistant orother handheld or portable computing device for the customer orphotographer to enter customer information, a handheld tape recorder ora video camera that may be used to record the customer information, orany other suitable equipment for collecting information on the customer.In some situations the customer information collection equipment 178 maybe based on the same platform (or be the same as) the image acquisitionequipment 176. Moreover, in some situations, such as when the projectinvolves a commercial client, customer information may be collected froma representative of the customer rather than the subject of the images.The subject of the images may be a product, building, landscape, model,etc.

As shown in FIG. 9, image acquisition and customer informationcollection equipment 180 may be used to capture images and collectcustomer information. A film camera 34 may be used to take images. Acomputer 182 may be used to collect customer information. Computer 182may be, for example, a notebook computer or handheld computing devicethat supports a removable media 184 such as a floppy diskette, memorycard, etc. Customer information that is collected with computer 182 maybe stored on removable media 184. Removable media 184 may be removedfrom computer 182 and transferred to photographer computer 36 (FIGS. 3and 5). A floppy diskette drive or other digital media reader such asdigital media reader 74 of FIG. 5 may be used by computer 36 to read thecustomer information stored on removable media 184. Such a digital mediareader may be separate from or part of computer 182. Computer 182 may beseparate from or the same as computer 36.

As shown in FIG. 10, image acquisition and customer informationcollection equipment 186 may be based on a digital camera 70 and acomputer 188. Digital camera 70 may have a processor 192 that it uses tostore images of subject 190 in memory 194 or on removable media 196.Images may be transferred to photographer computer 36 (FIG. 5) bystoring images on removable media 196 and transferring removable media196 to digital media reader 74 (FIG. 5). Images may also be transferredto photographer computer 36 (FIG. 5) over communications link 72 (FIG.5).

Computer 188 may be used to collect customer information. When subject190 is the customer, computer 188 may be used to collect customerinformation directly from subject 190. For example, when thephotographer is taking images of students, each student may enterpersonal information into computer 188 (with assistance from thephotographer if desired). As used herein, the term “photographer” mayapply to a single photographer or to a photographer and variousassistants and other such personnel. Computer 188 may be a notebookcomputer, a handheld computing device such as a personal digitalassistant, or any other suitable computer. Computer 188 of FIG. 10 maybe the same as photographer computer 36 (FIG. 5) or may be separate fromphotographer computer 36 (FIG. 5). For example, if computer 188 is anotebook computer, computer 188 may be used as photographer computer 36(FIG. 5) for tasks such as submitting digital images and customerinformation to order servicing equipment 16. If computer 188 is ahandheld computer, it may be preferable to use computer 188 inconjunction with digital camera 70 in the field. When the images havebeen taken and the customer information collected, images may betransferred to photographer computer 36 from digital camera 70 andcustomer information may be transferred from computer 188 tophotographer computer 36. Computer 188 has a processor 198 that may beused to store customer information and images in memory 200 and onremovable media 202. Images and customer information may be transferredfrom computer 188 to photographer computer 36 (when they are not thesame computer) using removable media 202 or a communications link suchas communications link 72 of FIG. 5.

Computers such as computer 188 and photographer computer 36 may supportvarious applications for image acquisition, customer informationcollection, image uploading, image editing, image management, and otherfunctions. Applications of this type and other applications implementedat photographer equipment 12 (FIG. 1) may sometimes be collectively orgenerically referred to herein as “the photographer application.” Acustomer application or applications may be implemented at customercomputer 14 to provide customer features such as product and serviceordering, image editing, and other functions. Applications may also beused at order servicing equipment 16 (FIG. 1), video and graphicsediting and production equipment 24 (FIG. 1), financial institution 22(FIG. 1), order fulfillment facility 20 (FIG. 1), and at any othersuitable equipment or facility in system 10. The applications used insystem 10 may be stand-alone applications or may involve a client-serverarrangement in which a local computer acts as a client processor and aremote computer acts as a server processor.

An illustrative screen provided by a photographer application on acomputer such as computer 188 of FIG. 10 is shown in FIG. 11. Screen 204allows the photographer to collect customer information and to controlthe acquisition of digital images with digital camera 70 (FIG. 10). Forexample, screen 204 may include assignment identifier entry region 206in which the photographer may enter a description of the photographer'sproject or assignment. In the example of FIG. 11, the assignmentinvolves taking images of Section A of the second grade at LincolnElementary School. The assignment information may be used by thephotographer application to identify groups of stored images. Afteruploading to order servicing equipment 16 (FIG. 1), the assignmentinformation may be used to identify images that customers are interestedin viewing and purchasing. For example, customers may be asked to selecttheir assignment from a list of assignments when viewing and orderingimages on-line.

Screen 204 may also contain a media identifier entry region 208. Thephotographer may use region 208 to enter a label for a new floppydiskette, digital memory card, or other removable digital media.Computer 188 (10) may use the media identification information providedin region 208 to label the removable media 202 (FIG. 10) before media202 is removed from computer 188. This allows the photographer to keeptrack of the removable media.

Customer information may be entered into customer information entryregion 210. Customer information may be entered by the customer (using,for example, computer 188 or a keyboard and monitor linked to computer188) or by the photographer. Customer information may include thecustomer's name, address, telephone number, fax number, and e-mailaddress, or any other suitable information on the customer's location,how the customer may be reached, the desired method of payment (creditcard type and number), the identify of friends or family who mightdesire to be notified when the images are ready, or any other suchinformation. Not all of this information is required. For example, itmay be sufficient for the customer to provide an e-mail address. Thesystem may then send an e-mail to the customer when images and relatedproducts and services are available to be viewed and ordered. If thecustomer provides only a mailing address, the order servicing equipmentoperator may mail a letter to the customer to notify the customer thatimages and related products and services may be viewed and ordered.Notifications may also be provided through a school or other institutionthat is involved in the project. Such notifications may be routed to thecustomers through the school or other institution based solely on thecustomer's name, without requiring mailing address or e-mail addressinformation. These examples are illustrative. Any suitable customerinformation may be collected for the customer if desired.

Computer 188 (FIG. 10) may control the acquisition of digital imageswith digital camera 70 (FIG. 10) by issuing commands to digital camera70 over communications link 212 (FIG. 10). The photographer applicationmay provide information on the total number of images taken in totalimage information region 214 on screen 204 of FIG. 11. Information onthe total number of images taken for the current customer may beprovided in region 216. If the photographer has finished with aparticular customer, the photographer may click on or otherwise selectnext customer option 218. Selecting next customer option 218 directs thephotographer application to prepare to acquire images and collectcustomer information for a new customer. The ways in which options suchas next customer option 218 may be selected depend upon the type ofinputs supported by computer 188. For example, if computer 188 has apointer controlled by a mouse, trackball, or other pointing device, thephotographer may click on the option of interest. If computer 188 has atouch-sensitive screen, the photographer may select options be touchingthe screen. If computer 188 has a voice recognition capability, optionsmay be selected by voice command. If computer 188 is a pen-basedcomputer, options may be selected using a pen. These examples are merelyillustrative. Any suitable technique may be used by the photographer,customer, order servicing equipment operator, operator of video andgraphics editing and production equipment, or others to select desiredoptions provided by an application.

Option 220 may be provided on screen 204 to provide the photographerwith an opportunity to add another image for the current customer. Whenthe photographer selects option 220, the photographer application maydisplay an image acquisition screen such as image acquisition screen 222of FIG. 12. Information on the current assignment may be displayed inregion 224. Media identifier information may be displayed in region 226.Customer information may be displayed in region 228. The photographerapplication may automatically assign the customer a password and displayit in customer password region 230. This allows the photographer to letthe customer know what the password is at the time the images are taken.If desired, the customer may choose a password and that password may beentered into a region such as customer password region 230. Regardlessof how the customer password is generated, the photographer applicationmay later provide the password to order servicing equipment 16, so thatorder servicing equipment 16 may use the password in deciding whether togrant access to a particular customer. If desired, order servicingequipment 16 may be used to generate a password and provide it to thecustomer by e-mail or other suitable notification technique. Thesetechniques for providing password control of on-line images are merelyillustrative. Any other suitable technique for providing passwordcontrol may be used if desired.

As shown in FIG. 12, the current image may be displayed in current imageregion 232. If desired, this image may be displayed for the customerusing a monitor such as monitor 234 of FIG. 10. Monitor 234 may be partof image acquisition and customer information collection equipment 186(FIG. 10) or may be connected to image acquisition and collectionequipment by a suitable cable or other path. The photographer mayacquire a new image by selecting acquire new image option 236. Theacquired image may be displayed as the current image in region 232. Whenthe customer or photographer is satisfied with the image, the image maybe selected by clicking on accept this image option 238. Thephotographer may browse forward and backward through the accepted imagesusing arrows 240 and 242. The number of each customer image may bedisplayed in region 244.

A toolbar such as toolbar 246 may be provided for screen 222 and otherscreens provided by the photographer application. Toolbar 246 mayprovide the photographer with access to features of the photographerapplication that are not displayed as part of the current screen. Forexample, file option 248 may provide access to a drop-down menu ofoptions relating to saving the images, changing file names, exitingscreen 222 and returning to screen 204 of FIG. 11, and other such fileand navigation functions. Tools option 250 may provide access to adrop-down menu of options that allow the photographer to crop or editthe image displayed in region 232 before accepting the image and performother image manipulation or content-related functions. Help option 251may provide the photographer with a menu of help features. These toolbaroptions are only illustrative. Any suitable photographer applicationfeatures may be provided using toolbar 246 or other such arrangement.

The order servicing equipment operator may use order servicing equipment16 (FIG. 1) to provide the photographer with an on-line opportunity toset up an account with the order servicing equipment operator. Thephotographer may use a web browser or other suitable application toestablish a communications link with the order servicing equipmentoperator over communications network 18. If the photographer uses a webbrowser, for example, order servicing equipment 16 may be used toprovide the photographer with a web page or other interactive screensuch as web page 252 of FIG. 13. If the photographer desires to set up anew account with the order servicing equipment operator, thephotographer may select set up new account option 254 by clicking on box256 and go button 258. If the photographer desires to access an existingaccount, the photographer may click on box 260, enter the photographer'saccount name or number in region 262, enter the password for the accountin region 264, and click on go button 258.

If the photographer selects new account option 254, order servicingequipment 16 (FIG. 1) may provide a web page such as web page 266 ofFIG. 14. Web page 266, like many other web pages that may be presentedby order servicing equipment 16, may be scrolled to be viewed in itsentirety. In the upper portion of page 266, the photographer is providedwith an opportunity to enter name and address information (regions 268and 270). The photographer is also provided with an opportunity to entera telephone number in region 272, an e-mail address in region 274, and afax number in region 276. Credit card information may be entered inregions 278 and 280 in the lower portion of page 266. Providing a creditcard number or other suitable financial information allows the orderservicing equipment operator to process the photographer's order even ifthe photographer has no credit in the account maintained by the orderservicing equipment operator. Regions 282 and 284 may be used to providethe photographer with an opportunity to enter financial information suchas the photographer's financial institution (e.g., financial institution22 of FIG. 1) and account number. This allows the order servicingequipment operator to make electronic funds transfers to deposit thephotographer's share of the revenues in the photographer's financialinstitution. Financial information such as the photographer's financialinstitution and account number may also be used to establish thecreditworthiness of the photographer. If the photographer providessatisfactory financial information, order servicing equipment 16 mayestablish a relationship with the photographer allowing the photographerto submit assignments, receive credit for revenues from the customer,etc. If the photographer selects home option 286, a welcome or home pagemay be presented. If the photographer selects submit option 288, the newaccount information may be submitted to order servicing equipment 16(FIG. 1) for processing. Selecting cancel button 290 cancels the newaccount setup process. The photographer may then be presented with page252 of FIG. 13. The options shown in FIG. 14 are merely illustrative.The photographer may be required to submit other information or allowedto submit various other types of information to establish an account ifdesired.

If the photographer chooses to access an existing account from page 252of FIG. 13, order servicing equipment 16 of FIG. 1 may be used topresent the photographer with a web page such as web page 292 of FIG.15. Submit new assignment option 294 allows the photographer to submitimages and customer information to order servicing equipment 16 (FIG.1). Review status of assignments option 296 allows the photographer toreview the status of assignments associated with the photographer'saccount. Review account status option 298 allows the photographer toreview the status of the photographer's account with the order servicingequipment operator.

As shown in FIG. 16, if the photographer selects review status ofassignments option 296 (FIG. 15), the photographer may be presented withassignment status page 300. The names of various assignments may bepresented in region 302. Information on when each assignment was started(e.g., when images were made available on-line for access by customers)may be presented in column 304. Information on when the images arescheduled to go off-line (e.g., without payment of a supplemental fee bythe customer or photographer), may be presented in column 306. Ifdesired, images may be made available indefinitely or until the imagesare no longer generating orders for products or services. Column 208 maybe used to display information on the revenues received for eachassignment. If the photographer wishes to view additional information,the photographer may select more option 310.

Selecting more option 310 of FIG. 16 may direct the system to displayassignment status page 312 of FIG. 17. In the example of FIG. 17, statusinformation for the Floyd wedding assignment indicates that film hasbeen received from the photographer and is currently being developed.Status information for the Giant Foods assignment indicates that filmhas been processed and digitized, the customer has been notified, andthe order servicing equipment operator is awaiting orders from thecustomer. Status information for the Washington High School assignmentindicates that digital images have been uploaded from the photographer.Customers (students) have been notified that the images are availablefor on-line ordering. To date, 67 orders have been received for theWashington High School assignment totaling $2890 (as indicated onassignment status page 300 of FIG. 16). Of the 67 orders that have beenreceived, 42 orders have been processed. The status information for theNew Paltz High School assignment indicates that the photographer hasprovided the order servicing equipment 16 with information on theassignment, but that the film has for the assignment has not yet beenreceived at order servicing equipment 16 for processing. The assignmentstatus screens of FIGS. 16 and 17 are merely illustrative. If desired,more or less detail may be included and different types of statusinformation may be provided.

As shown in FIG. 18, when the photographer selects review account statusoption 298 of FIG. 16, order servicing equipment 16 may be used topresent the photographer with account status page 314. Account statuspage 314 may contain information on the photographer's most recentmonthly statement. In the example of FIG. 18, account status page 314includes information on the amount of revenue received during April.Information on the service charge and taxes withheld by the orderservicing equipment operator may also be presented. The service chargemay be computed based on any suitable formula, such as a givenpercentage of the total revenues, a fixed fee, fees based on the numberof images handled and the image type (digital or film), a combination ofsuch factors, or any other suitable arrangement for reimbursing theoperator of order servicing equipment 16 for the effort and expenseinvolved in handling the assignment submitted by the photographer. Ifdesired, information may be provided on the whether the photographer'sshare of the April revenues have been successfully transferred to thephotographer's bank account or other financial institution. Theinformation provided in the illustrative account status page 314 of FIG.18 is merely an example. Other suitable account status information maybe provided if desired. For example, information may be provided onprevious monthly account balances. The photographer may be provided withon-line or downloadable tools for graphing and analyzing past accountstatus information. Detailed tax, revenue flow, or statisticalinformation, or the like may be provided.

If the photographer selects submit new assignment option 294 of FIG. 15,the photographer may be presented with a page such as assignmentsubmission page 316 of FIG. 19. Assignment submission page 316 mayinclude assignment name region 318 in which the photographer may enterthe name of the assignment that the photographer desires to submit.Assignment submission page 316 may also include assignment typespecification region 320 in which the photographer may check a box toindicate the type of assignment being submitted. Information on the typeof assignment being submitted may be used by order servicing equipment16 (FIG. 1) in determining which options to present to the photographer,customer, and any other parties who access the images. The types ofassignments shown in FIG. 19 are merely illustrative. Any suitableassignment types may be provided if desired. Other options may also bepresented on assignment submission page 316 if desired. When thephotographer has entered an assignment name in region 318 and hasselected an assignment type in region 320, the photographer may selectsubmit button 322 to transmit the information from page 316 to orderservicing equipment 16 (FIG. 1).

Once the photographer has provided information to the order servicingequipment that identifies the assignment to be submitted, orderservicing equipment 16 (FIG. 1) may provide a page such as page 324 ofFIG. 20. The name of the selected assignment may be displayed in region326. Page 324 allows the photographer to specify whether customerinformation is to be entered manually or is to be entered from a list orother file that has already be created. A customer list may be createdby a computer used by the photographer when gathering customerinformation such as computer 182 of FIG. 9 or computer 188 of FIG. 10. Acustomer list may also be created by a school, or other institution, orby some other party. For example, a school may provide the photographerwith a list of students and their home addresses from a databasemaintained by the school. The photographer may enter the location of thecustomer list file in customer list location region 328. The list may beon the photographer's hard drive, because the list has been downloadedto photographer computer 36 (FIGS. 3 and 5) from a computer or otherdevice used in the field or because the computer used to collect theinformation is the same as photographer computer 36. If customerinformation is located on the photographer's hard drive (or other localstorage device), the photographer may enter the path and filename forthe customer information in region 328. The photographer may also selectbrowse option 330 to browse the available disks and other storagedevices associated with photographer computer 36 (FIGS. 3 and 5). Ifphotographer computer 36 is connected to a network, the photographer maybrowse to view different file locations within the network. Photographercomputer 36 may be able to locate a customer list from an institutionsuch as a school by using a dial-up link or an Internet connection. Ifthe list is available over such a link, the photographer may downloadthe list or may enter its location in region 328 (e.g., by specifying anInternet address or other identifying information).

Additional pages and options may be provided to the photographer tofacilitate the steps involved in transferring customer information froma school computer or other such location. For example, pages may beprovided that include options for entering passwords and other securityinformation. When the desired filename and location information has beenentered or determined by browsing or using other options, thephotographer may select upload customer mailing list to service centeroption 332. Selecting option 332 may direct the system to transmit thecustomer information contained in the list or file to order servicingequipment 16. If desired, a school or other institution may provide thecustomer list directly to order servicing equipment 16. For example, thecustomer list may be posted to a web page provided by order servicingequipment 16.

If a customer list has not been created, the photographer may enter thelist manually. Page 324 may include enter customer information manuallyoption 334. Selecting option 334 may direct the system to display a pagesuch as page 336 of FIG. 21. Page 336 includes assignment title region338 for identifying the assignment. Page 336 of FIG. 21 is directedtoward commercial customers. This type of page may be presented, forexample, when the photographer specifies that the new assignment is ofthe commercial type by checking the commercial box in region 320 of FIG.19.

Commercially-oriented customer information entry pages such as page 336may contain a client region 340 for entering a client name and aseparate contact region 342 for entering a contact name at the client.The contact's title may be entered in region 344. Address and accountinformation for the client may be entered in region 346. Telephonenumber, fax number, and e-mail address information may be entered inregion 348. When the photographer has finished entering customerinformation into the information regions of page 336, the photographermay select submit button 350 to transmit the information to orderservicing equipment 16 (FIG. 1).

Page 336 is merely illustrative. Any suitable page or series of pages orother suitable information entry scheme may be used to allow thephotographer to enter customer information.

Another example of a customer information entry page is shown in FIG.22. Page 352 of FIG. 22 is an example of the type of page that may bedisplayed when the photographer has indicated that the assignment is fora wedding by checking the wedding box in region 320 of FIG. 19. Theassignment name may be displayed in region 354. Customer information maybe entered in region 356. When the customer information has beenentered, the photographer may select submit option 358 to transmit thecustomer information to order servicing equipment 16.

When the customer information has been submitted, the system may presentthe photographer with an opportunity to specify how images are to beprovided to order servicing equipment 16 (FIG. 1). For example, thephotographer may be provided with a page such as page 360 of FIG. 23.Page 360 may include region 362 for displaying information on the nameof the assignment. Page 360 may also contain a confirmation 364indicating that the customer information has been accepted by orderservicing equipment 16 (FIG. 1). Page 360 may provide the photographerwith an opportunity to indicate how images are to be provided to orderservicing equipment 16 (FIG. 1).

If the photographer selects mail option 366, the photographer may bepresented with a page such as page 368 of FIG. 24. Page 368 may containassignment title information in region 370. Page 368 may also contain aregion such as region 372 with information on the address to which thephotographer should mail the images. If the photographer selects printorder form option 374, an order form may be printed. The photographermay use the order form when mailing film or any other image-storagemedia to the order servicing equipment.

As shown in FIG. 23, page 364 may also include an option 376 that thephotographer may select when the photographer desires to submit imagesto order servicing equipment 16 (FIG. 1) electronically. When thephotographer selects option 376, the photographer may be presented witha page such as page 378 of FIG. 25. Information identifying theassignment may be displayed in region 380. The photographer may enterthe image location in region 382. Images may be stored on thephotographer's hard drive, because the images have been provided tophotographer computer 36 (FIGS. 3 and 5) from a computer or other deviceused in the field, because the photographer computer 36 was directlyinvolved in capturing the images, because images have been digitized byan image digitizing device such as image digitizing equipment 62 of FIG.5, or because digital image data was otherwise provided to thephotographer's hard drive. If images are located on the photographer'shard drive (or other local storage device), the photographer may enterthe path and filename for the images in region 382. The photographer mayalso select browse option 384 to browse the available disks and otherstorage devices associated with photographer computer 36 (FIGS. 3 and5). If photographer computer 36 is connected to a network, thephotographer may browse to view different file locations within thenetwork.

Images may be stored remotely. For example, the photographer may usefilm to take images. The photographer may provide the film to lab 64 ofFIG. 5, where the film is developed by processing equipment 66 and theimages are digitized using image digitizing equipment 68. Images maythen be stored at lab 64. Photographer computer 36 may be able to locatean image file stored at a remote location such as lab 64 using a dial-uplink or an Internet connection. If the images are available over such alink, the photographer may download them to photographer computer 36 ormay enter their location in region 382 of FIG. 25 (e.g., by specifyingan Internet address or other identifying information). Additional pagesand options may be provided to the photographer to facilitate theprocess of transferring images to order servicing equipment 16 fromlocations such as lab 64 of FIG. 5. For example, pages may be providedthat include options for entering passwords and other securityinformation. When the desired filename and location information has beenentered or determined by browsing or using other options, thephotographer may select upload images to service center option 386 ofFIG. 25. Selecting option 386 may direct the system to transmit theimages to order servicing equipment 16.

Once order servicing equipment 16 receives the customer information andimages for an assignment, the images may be made available to thecustomer on-line. If the photographer provides the images on undevelopedfilm, the film may first be developed and the images digitized from thedeveloped film. One way in which images may be provided to the customeris by placing them on a web page or by otherwise making them availableelectronically such as via e-mail, dial-up connection, or any othersuitable technique. If desired, the operator of order servicingequipment 16 may use the customer's e-mail address that has beenprovided with the customer information to e-mail a notification to thecustomer that the images are available on-line for the customer'sreview. Such notifications may be sent automatically by order servicingequipment 16 if desired. A typical notification message 388 is shown inFIG. 26.

Notification message 388 of FIG. 26 may be read by the customer using ane-mail application (illustrated in FIG. 26 by the presence of e-mailfunction options 390). Notification message 388 may contain informationon the sender (XYZ Imaging Services), the recipient (Julie Smith), thecurrent availability of the images (text shown in region 392), and thelocation of the images (indicated by Internet address or URL 394).Notification message 388 may also contain information on the customer'spassword in region 396. If the customer provided a password to thephotographer when the photographer collected the customer information ofif the photographer application implemented on computer 182 (FIG. 9) oron computer 188 (FIG. 10) generated the password, order servicingequipment 16 (FIG. 1) may include that password in message 388 as areminder to the customer. If desired, order servicing equipment 16 maygenerate a password autonomously. Notification by e-mail is merely oneillustrative notification technique. The customer may be notified by anyother suitable technique or may not be specifically notified if desired.

The operator of order servicing equipment 16 (FIG. 1) may place theimages on-line using any suitable combination of manual and automatictechniques. Automated techniques may involve placing uploaded digitalimages or digital images from image digitizing equipment 44 of FIG. 3directly into a web page or other location without manual operatorinvolvement. If desired, personnel at order servicing equipment 16 mayoversee the operation. Similarly, customer notifications and otherfunctions performed by order servicing equipment 16 may be accomplishedusing any suitable combination of manual and automatic techniques. Forexample, automatic notification may be sent to customers by using orderservicing computer 46 (FIGS. 3 and 5) to extract the customers' e-mailaddresses from the customer information provided to order servicingequipment 16 (FIG. 1) by the photographer. Order servicing computer 46may handle tasks associated with image storage, providing customers withaccess to stored images, the storage of customer information, customernotification, financial transactions, crediting the photographer,maintaining photographers' accounts, processing orders, etc.

After a customer receives a notification such as notification message388 of FIG. 26, the customer may access their images by, for example,using a web browser to visit the URL indicated in region 394 of FIG. 26.If supported by the customer's e-mail application and browser, thecustomer may click on region 394 to launch their browser and retrievethe relevant web page. An illustrative web page that may be presented tothe customer when the customer clicks on a link such as the link inregion 394 of FIG. 26 is shown as web page 396 in FIG. 27.

Web page 396 may include a welcome message 398, a region 400 in whichthe customer may enter the customer's password, and a continue option402 that the customer may select to submit the password after it hasbeen entered into region 400.

When order servicing equipment 16 receives a valid password from thecustomer, the customer may be presented with a page such as page 404 ofFIG. 28. Page 404 contains the images 406 that were taken by thephotographer. The customer may view the images. The customer may orderenlargements by checking size boxes 408 and by selecting a desiredquantity for each checked size using options 410. If the customer wishesto add the image to an album, the customer may check an appropriate oneof add to order boxes 412. Checking one of other boxes 414 indicatesthat the customer is interested in other image-based products orservices. The customer may scroll through the images using scrollcontrol region 416. The customer may crop images by using a pointer toclick and drag cropping arrows 418 to desired locations. In the exampleof FIG. 28, crop arrow 418 a has been dragged upwards from its nominalposition at the bottom of image 406 a, so that image 406 a will becropped as shown. When the customer has finished selecting whichenlargements to order, the customer may click on continue option 420. Ifonly enlargements are being ordered, the order servicing equipment 16may provide the customer with additional order pages that allow thecustomer to provide financial information such as credit cardinformation and to otherwise complete the order.

If the customer selects one of add to album options 412, the customermay be provided with an opportunity to create and edit their own album.The customer may be provided with templates to simplify the albumcreation process. If desired, the photographer or other party can editand finalize the album design.

If the customer selects other option 414 for any of images 406 in FIG.28, the photographer may be presented with a page such as page 422 ofFIG. 29 that allows the customer to view the selected image 424 and toorder various products and services related to that image. The optionsthat are presented on page 422 may be related to the type of assignmentinvolved. Information on the type of assignment involved may be providedby the photographer when the photographer submits the assignment toorder servicing equipment 16 (FIG. 1). If desired, the customer may alsobe provided with an opportunity to enter information that identifies thetype of assignment involved.

In the example of FIG. 29, the assignment type is a wedding. Thecustomer is therefore presented with an opportunity to select optionsfrom various wedding-related options. For example, the customer mayselect e-mail thank-you-notes option 426 by checking box 428 andselecting go option 430. If the customer selects option 426, thecustomer may be presented with an e-mail generation page such as page432 of FIG. 30.

As shown in FIG. 30, the image that was selected by the user by checkingan associated box 414 on page 404 of FIG. 28 and that was displayed asimage 424 on page 422 of FIG. 29 may be displayed as image 434 on page432 of FIG. 30. The customer may type in a greeting or other suitabletitle or header in greeting region 436. Caption information may beentered in region 438. The customer may enter the recipient's name inregion 440 and the body of the message in region 442. A recipient may bedefined by selecting option 444. When the customer selects option 444,the customer may be provided with an opportunity to enter an e-mailaddress for a desired recipient. If there are multiple recipients, thecustomer may enter them manually, or may provide the location of amailing list stored on customer computer 14 (FIG. 1) or other suitablelocation. A mailing list may be based, for example, on a list ofattendees at a wedding. The customer may send the message to therecipients by selecting send option 446. The customer may be providedwith an opportunity to save the mailing list for later use. For example,the list may be saved for later use in sending holiday cards.

The thank-you-note arrangement of FIG. 30 may be used for other types ofimage-based message services. For example, if the image is a noveltyportrait of a child during the holiday season, a page such as page 432may be used to provide the customer with an opportunity to send holidaye-mail cards. These examples are illustrative only. Any type of messagecontaining an image 434 may be sent if desired. Moreover, the messagesmay be printed and mailed by the system so that recipients may receiveregular letters. For example, messages may be printed on paper usingdigital printing equipment 48 (FIGS. 3 and 5) and mailed using packagingand mailing equipment (FIGS. 3 and 5).

If the customer selects add to wedding web site option 448 of FIG. 29 bychecking box 450 and selecting go option 430, the customer may bepresented with a page such as page 452 of FIG. 31. Page 452 allows thecustomer to construct a web site that incorporates the images taken bythe photographer. The images that are available for incorporation intothe site may be displayed in region 454 as images 456. Each image 456may have an associated number 458. Image numbers may be entered intoregions such as region 460 and 462 in image display regions 464. Whenthe web site is displayed, the images 456 corresponding to the enteredimage numbers are displayed. Text may be entered in text entry regions466. Borders and backgrounds may be selected by the customer byaccessing options on additional pages or by using other on-line tools.

If desired, the customer may be provided with access to tools that allowthe customer to edit the images, position the images where desired,append video, audio, text, and graphic content to the images, establishpasswords for the site, etc. For example, when the customer has finishedselecting the images for page 452 and has entered any desired text, thecustomer may select continue option 468. When the customer selectscontinue option 468 of FIG. 31, the customer may be presented with a webpage such as web page 470 of FIG. 32 that allows the customer toestablish a password for the wedding web site by entering a password inregion 472. If the customer is interested in creating a digital albumfrom the web site (which need not be viewed on-line and which may beprovided to the customer by downloading or on digital storage media) thecustomer may check box 474. When the customer has finished, the customermay select done option 476.

Other illustrative options that may be provided on a page such as page422 of FIG. 29 include options for creating screen-savers, mouse pads,tee shirts, framed prints, etc. These options are merely illustrative.Any other suitable set of options may be provided if desired.

In some situations it may be desired to provide the customer with littleor no control over the digital on-line images. For example, if aphotographer is working on an assignment for a commercial customer, thephotographer may wish to ensure that the client is not provided withhigh-quality digital images until such images have been paid for.Similarly, for artistic or business reasons, the photographer may notwish to allow the customer to manipulate on-line images for a weddingweb site or other type of web site. In other situations, however, it maybe desirable for a customer to manipulate images. It may also bedesirable for photographers to be able to manipulate images before (orafter) they are made available to the customer. For example, thephotographer may wish to digitally correct mistakes in framing,exposure, color balance, etc. before the images are presented to thecustomer. Another party who may wish to manipulate images is a mediaconsultant, who may use video and graphics editing and productionequipment 24 (FIG. 1) to access images at order servicing equipment 16(FIG. 1). Using equipment 24, images may be downloaded, manipulated andreturned to order servicing equipment 16 or may be edited on-line viacommunications network 18.

The photographer's interest in manipulating images may be related to adesire to increase revenues from sales of image-based products andservices. If the photographer improves the marketability of the imagesby image manipulation, the photographer may enhance sales. Thephotographer may wish to enlist the efforts of a media consultant. Themedia consultant may work for a fixed fee paid, for example, by thephotographer. If desired, the media consultant may be retained by thephotographer or the operator of order servicing equipment 16 to work fora percentage of the revenues derived from the sales of image-basedproducts and services. If the media consultant works for a percentage ofthe revenues, order servicing equipment 16 may be used to credit theaccount of the media consultant, to transfer funds into the financialinstitution of the media consultant, or to direct the appropriateequipment or institution to issue a check for the media consultant orotherwise pay the media consultant. If desired, the photographer mayreimburse the media consultant using order servicing equipment 16 orphotographer equipment 12.

If the customer is provided with an opportunity to manipulate theimages, the customer may be more satisfied with the end result and mayorder more image-based products and services. The customer may editimages locally by downloading the images to customer computer 14 fromorder servicing equipment 16, manipulating the images, and returning themanipulated images to order servicing equipment 16. A variety oftechniques may be used to prevent the customer from retaininghigh-quality digital images without payment. For example, during theimage manipulation phase, order servicing equipment 16 may only providecustomer computer 14 with low resolution images. The customer maymanipulate the low resolution images (e.g., by cropping, changing thecolor balance, adjusting the background, etc.) Information on whichmanipulations have been made may be transferred back to order servicingequipment 16. The image manipulation information may be used by theorder serving equipment when fulfilling subsequent orders from thecustomer. If desired, digital images may be provided with a visible orinvisible digital watermark. The images may be contained in files thatlock themselves after a predetermined period of time (e.g., after a fewdays). The images may be password protected and the password may changeafter a predetermined period of time. These are merely examples of waysin which the images may be protected if it is desired to allow thecustomer to make image manipulations prior to some or all of the ordersplaced to order servicing equipment 16. Any other suitable technique forprotecting the images during local editing by the customer may be usedif desired.

Another way that images may be manipulated by the customer is during theimage ordering process. For example, if the customer selects an optionsuch as option 414 of FIG. 28, the customer may be presented with a webpage such as web page 478 of FIG. 33. Web page 478 allows the customerto select a desired image 480 from available images 482 and to crop theimage using movable cropping arrows 484. The customer may select desiredproducts and services by checking the boxes associated with options 486and selecting continue option 488.

The photographer, a media consultant, or other party may edit imageslocally on their computers. The photographer may edit images onphotographer computer 36 (FIG. 5) before the images are uploaded toorder servicing equipment 16. The media consultant may use equipment 24for local image editing by downloading the images from order servicingequipment 16 or other location via network 18, manipulating the images,and returning the edited images to the order servicing equipment orother location.

Local image manipulation capabilities may be provided for thephotographer, customer, media consultant, or other party using a customeditor or an off-the-shelf editor such as Adobe Photoshop. Local imagemanipulation may involve adding text, graphics, and video to the images.Tools for performing these functions include desktop publishing tools,video editing tools, word processing applications, and other suitablecontent-manipulation tools.

If desired, the photographer, user of equipment 24, customer, or otherparty may manipulate images on-line. An illustrative web page that maybe provided to a customer, photographer, or other party desiring to editimages is shown in FIG. 34. Web page 490 may include options that allowadjustments to be made in image color (option 492), contrast (option494), sharpness (option 496), backgrounds (option 498), or other imagescharacteristics (option 500). These options are merely illustrative. Anysuitable image manipulation and editing options may be provided ifdesired. Images may be cropped by, for example, clicking on image 502 toestablish the position for upper left corner 504 of expandable croppingwindow 506, moving the lower right corner 508 of window 506 until asuitable crop has been obtained, and then clicking on image 502 toestablish the final position for lower right corner 508. Anotherapproach that may be used for on-line cropping is to use movablecropping lines such as those used to crop image 480 of FIG. 33.

Predetermined cropping options such as options 510, 512, and 514 may beprovided. If option 510 is checked, a square window may be provided thatconverts the rectangular image 502 into a square having the maximumpossible dimensions allowed by the size of image 502 by overlaying asquare window similar to window 506. The square window may be resizedand repositioned if desired. A standard horizontal crop option 512 (withan 8×10 aspect ratio) may be provided by overlaying a resizable andrepositionable horizontal window having a fixed 8×10 aspect ratio.Option 514 is similar to option 512 except that it uses a verticalorientation. Cropping using custom cropping window 506 may be invoked bychecking custom cropping box 516. After cropping and image manipulationhave been performed, continue option 518 may be selected.

The photographer may wish to edit images on-line, to select which imagesare presented to the customer, and to select presentation options forthe images. Illustrative steps involved in providing a photographer orother party with these functions are shown in FIG. 35. At step 520, thephotographer may take images and collect customer information. At step522, the photographer may provide the images and customer information toorder servicing equipment 16 (FIG. 1). At step 524, order servicingequipment 16 may be used to provide the photographer with an opportunityto select which images are to be provided to the photographer and toselect images presentation options (e.g., what type of album the imagesare presented in, the type of paper surface used for enlargements, frametypes, etc.). Order servicing equipment 16 may also be used to providethe photographer with an opportunity to edit images at step 524. Afterthe images have been edited and after the photographer has selectedimage presentation options and has selected which images are to bepresented to the customer, the customer may be provided with anopportunity to view images and to order products and services based onthe selected images at step 526. At step 528, order servicing equipment16 (FIG. 1) may be used to fulfill the orders of customers. If desired,facilities such as order fulfillment facility 20 (FIG. 1) may be used tofulfill orders during step 528.

Step 524 may involve various techniques for manipulation images. Ifdesired, one, some, or all of the techniques illustrated as substeps ofstep 524 of FIG. 35 or suitable alternative steps may be used. At step530, information on how images are to be manipulated may be transmittedto order servicing equipment 16 from photographer equipment 12 by mailor delivery. Image manipulations may be made by telephone at step 532,by, for example, allowing the photographer to enter touch-tone commandsto a computer in response to a computer-generated voice. Electronicediting may be supported at step 534. Step 536 may involve allowing thephotographer to edit images on-line. Step 538 may involve allowing thephotographer to edit images by e-mail or other messaging technique. Atstep 540, the photographer may select which images to present to thecustomer and may select image presentation options using mail ordelivery. At step 542, the photographer may select which images topresent to the customers and may select image presentation options usinga telephone. At step 544, the photographer may be provided with anopportunity to electronically select which images are presented to thecustomer and to electronically select image presentation options. Forexample, the photographer may be provided with an on-line opportunity toselect which images to present to the customer and to select imagepresentation options at step 546. The photographer may be provided withan e-mail opportunity to select which images are to be presented to thecustomer and to select image presentation options at step 548. Ifdesired, steps 520-548 may involve parties other than the photographer,such as a media consultant, order servicing equipment operator, etc.

As shown in FIG. 36, the photographer or other suitable party may beprovided with an on-line opportunity to select which images are to bepresented to the customer and to select image presentation options usinga web page such as web page 550. All of the images such as images 552and 554 that were originally submitted by the photographer may bedisplayed on the left side of web page 550. Web page 550 may includeaccept-as-proof options such as accept-as-proof options 556 and 558. Ifthe photographer would like the customer to be able to view a particularimage when ordering image-based products and services, the photographermay select the appropriate accept-as-proof option. For example, if thephotographer would like the customer to be able to order image 554 butnot be able to order image 552 (e.g., because image 552 is somehowflawed, duplicative, or otherwise undesirable), the photographer maycheck box 562 but not box 560, as shown.

The photographer may wish to showcase a certain group of images becausethey are group shots, because the images are candids, because thephotographer feels that the images were particularly successful or willsell well if showcased, etc. The photographer may select which imagesare to be showcased during presentation to the customer by selectingappropriate showcase options 564.

The choice of which images are to be showcased is an example of adigital image presentation option. Another image presentation optionthat may be selected by the photographer relates to whether the selectedimages are to be included in a wedding album or other suitable album.The photographer may be provided with an opportunity to make this typeof selection using options such as include-in-album options 566.

After the photographer has selected which images to present to the user,the order servicing equipment may only present those images to thecustomer for viewing or ordering. Images that the photographer selectsfor showcasing may be presented to the customer on a special web pageand may involve a special pricing structure. Images selected forinclusion in an album may be viewed by the customer in the form of adigital mock-up of the album. By preparing the album for the customer inthis way, the photographer may be able to enhance album sales andoverall revenues.

The photographer may be provided with an opportunity to select imagepresentation options such as album characteristics using a web page suchas web page 568 of FIG. 37. Web page 568 may include options such asoptions 570 and 572 that allow the photographer to select the type ofalbum desired (e.g., an inexpensive standard album or a more deluxeversion). The photographer may be presented with custom album option574. When this option is selected, the photographer may select albumcharacteristics such as cover type (option 576), cover color (option578), page weight (option 580), mount type (option 582), etc. When theimage presentation options (album characteristics in the example of FIG.37) have been selected by the photographer, the photographer may selectsubmit option 584. The album characteristics that are selected by thephotographer may be used to determine how the album is made up when thealbum is constructed at order servicing equipment 16 or orderfulfillment facility 20 (FIG. 1). If desired, the selected albumcomponents may be shipped to the photographer for final assembly beforepresentation to the customer in person or by mail.

The album characteristics that may be selected using a web page such asweb page 568 of FIG. 37 are only one example of various different typesof image presentation options that may be selected by the photographer.The image presentation options that are presented to the photographermay depend on the type of image-based product and service involved,which may in turn depend on the type of assignment involved. Forexample, if the assignment is a school photograph, the image-basedproduct or service may be a collection of enlargements in certain sizes(e.g., wallet-sized, 4″×6″, 5″×7″, etc.) The photographer may select themix of different images sizes to offer the customer as a package. If theassignment is a wedding, the image-based product or service may be aframed print. The photographer may be presented with an opportunity toselect the frame type (e.g., wood, metal), frame color, mat type(buffered, unbuffered, etc.), mat color, mat style (single mat, doublemat, shape of mat opening), image protection options (unprotected,glass, coated glass, acrylic sheets, etc.), and any otherframing-related options. If the assignment relates to taking images fora commercial customer to display as enlargements, the photographer maybe presented with options relating to paper type (archival, transparent,fiber-based or resin-coated, single weight or double weight, etc.),paper brand, paper surface (glossy, matte, or semi-matte), etc.

If desired, the customer may be provided with an opportunity to selectimage presentation options. For example, a wedding customer may beprovided with an opportunity to select which type of album is used. Ifdesired, the decision as to how much control to provide the customer maybe made by the photographer. Some photographers may wish to providetheir customers with a large number of options. Other photographers maywish to retain control over the assignment and may base their reputationon making decisions for their customers so that the customers do notneed to make such decisions.

Steps involved in image editing, selecting which images are presented tothe customer, and selecting image presentation options are shown in FIG.38. At step 586, the system provides appropriate parties (e.g., thephotographer, the customer, the media consultant, the operator of theorder servicing equipment, a lab operator, an order fulfillment facilityoperator, etc.) with an opportunity to edit image attributes and content(e.g., an opportunity to electronically edit image attributes andcontent using network 18). Image attributes that may be manipulatedinclude color vs. black and white, hue, saturation, contrast, and anyother suitable image attributes. Image content may be manipulated bycropping, removing red-eye, changing hair color, changing backgroundtype, color, or content, selecting stock images or graphics to combinewith the image (e.g., if the image was taken with a blue background fora novelty portrait), etc. For example, the photographer may originallyhave taken an image of a customer posed against a blue background. Thecustomer may then access a database of cartoon characters, movie images,images of people, magazine cover templates, templates with the bodies ofpeople to which the heads in the images may be attached, nature scenes,etc. The customer may select a desired image from the database tocombine with the original image (e.g., as a background to replace theoriginal blue background). Because the customer may access a largedatabase of stock images, the customer may order image-based productsand services based on numerous different modifications of the originalimage. Image manipulation may encourage repeat orders, because customersmay desire to order additional images and image-related products orservices each time the underlying images are modified.

At step 588, parties are provided with an opportunity to select imagepresentation options. For example, an opportunity may be provide toselect an album type, print surface, type of materials used in an album,framed photograph, or other image-based product (step 590). Anopportunity may also be provided to arrange a layout of an album, adigital album, or a web site, or make other such changes to the way thatthe images are presented (step 592).

At step 594, the system may be used to provide an opportunity to appendcontent to images or image-based products or services. For example, anopportunity may be provided for a party to add text and captioning to analbum or other product (step 596) and to append video and audio clips toweb-based products and other electronic and video products (step 598).If the assignment is a wedding, for example, the photographer mayprovide images to order servicing equipment 16. The customer may selectwhich images to include in a web site to commemorate the wedding. Amedia consultant who has access to videos of the wedding may edit thevideos and may append selected video and audio clips to the web site.For example, the media consultant may insert still video images into theweb site that turn into full motion video clips when a viewer of the website clicks on them.

Steps involved in using video content are shown in FIG. 39. At step 600video is created. For example, a media consultant or other party maytake videos at a wedding, a sporting event (to associate, e.g., withimages of athletes or cheerleaders, etc.), a meeting of an organization,a corporate event, or any other suitable event. Videos may be takenusing analog or digital equipment. If images are taken using analogequipment, the system may be used to provide the media consultant orother party with an opportunity to convert video to digital format atstep 602. For example, analog video may be converted using video andgraphics editing and production equipment 24 (FIG. 1) and an applicationdownloaded from order servicing equipment 16. At step 604, anopportunity is provided to collect customer information. For example, amedia consultant or other party may be provided with an opportunity tocollect customer information using customer information collectionequipment 178 (FIG. 8). At step 606, the system may be used to providethe media consultant or other party with an opportunity toelectronically of physically provide some or all of the video created atstep 600 to order servicing equipment 16. For example, a web page may beprovided to the media consultant or other party that assists the mediaconsultant in uploading the video to order servicing equipment 16 overthe Internet. The web page may contain a video upload option. When themedia consultant selects the video upload option, the media consultantor other party may be provided with an opportunity to enter a filenameor other suitable location information for the digital video file to beuploaded. The media consultant or other party may then submit the videoby selecting a submit option or other suitable option.

After the video has been provided to order servicing equipment 16, themedia consultant or other party may be provided with an opportunity toedit video attributes and content on-line at step 608. Step 608 (andstep 606) may involve determining which portions of the videos are to bepresented to the customer as part of a video-based product or service.Video attributes that may be edited include, color balance, sharpness,hue, saturation, color vs. black and white, volume of accompanying audiotrack, etc. At step 610, an opportunity may be provided to select videopresentation options and to append content to the video on-line. Forexample, the media consultant may be provided with an opportunity toselect options such as the amount of compression used in displaying thevideos, what type of compression scheme is used in displaying thevideos, whether the audio track is in stereo or mono, etc. The mediaconsultant may also be provided with a tool that allows the mediaconsultant to append content to the videos, such as titles, captions,text, graphics, images, etc.

At step 612, the customer may be provided with an opportunity to viewand order video-based products and services on-line. For example, thecustomer may be provided with an opportunity to purchase avideocassette, digital video disc (DVD), or other suitable media ontowhich the videos and any appended content have been placed. The customermay also be provided with an opportunity to order a web site or digitalalbum containing interactive videos and appended content.

At step 614, the system fulfills the customer's order. For example, ifthe customer has ordered a videocassette, order servicing equipment 16or order fulfillment facility 20 may be used to ship the videocassetteto the customer. If the customer has ordered a digital album, the albummay be made available for the customer for downloading from orderservicing equipment 16. If the customer has ordered a web site, the website may, at least initially, be hosted by order servicing equipment 16.If the customer desires, the web site may be hosted by order servicingequipment 16 for a monthly fee or may be downloaded to the customer ortransferred to a separate web site host.

Various parties may use the system, such as the photographer, thecustomer, the media consultant, visitors, the order servicing equipmentoperator, the operators of separate fulfillment facilities, labs, andfinancial institutions, and other parties. Each of these parties mayhave a different role. For example, some parties, such as thephotographer, may be involved in content creation. Other parties, suchas the operator of the order servicing equipment, may be involved incontent distribution. The customer and other parties may be involved inthe purchasing of content. The system may accommodate these differentroles by allowing different rights to be assigned to each of theparties. This allows the system to simultaneously support differenttypes of usage. Moreover, if the needs of the parties change, or if adifferent arrangement is required, rights may be reallocated.

A table 616 that illustrates how different rights may be assigned todifferent parties is shown in FIG. 40. The rows in table 616 correspondto different parties, such as the customer and the photographer. Columnscorrespond to different usage arrangements. The numbers in the cells oftable 616 show the types of rights that might be assigned to each partyin each of several different usage arrangements. For example, a customerin a typical wedding scenario may be allowed to view images (1), orderimage-based products and services (2), append content to image-basedproducts or services (3), and download images (4). The photographer inthe same scenario may not be allowed to order image-based products orservices (2), but may be allowed to edit image attributes and content(5), select image presentation options (6), and select which images arepresented to the customer (7). The rights of the media consultant may bethe same as the photographer, except that the media consultant may notbe allowed to select which images are presented to the customer. Avisitor may have rights that are the same as the customer, except thatthe visitor may not be permitted to download images (4). The operator ofthe order servicing equipment may be allowed to set rights levels, butunder normal operating circumstances may not be allowed to use thesystem features that the customer, photographer, media consultant, andvisitor have access to.

The other scenarios of FIG. 40 involve different relationships betweenthe parties and therefore typically have different types of rightsdistributions. For example, in a typical commercial customer scenario,the customer may be provided with fewer rights, because the photographermay be concerned with controlling the content and use of the images. Thecustomer may only be able to download images. To protect the rights ofthe photographer, the system may only allow the customer to downloadlow-resolution images or images with watermarks, digital watermarks,embedded copyright notices, or other form of usage control. In a typicalnovelty portrait arrangement, the customer may be allowed to manipulatethe images. For example, the customer may be allowed to change thebackground of the images. Typical maximum rights scenarios are shown inthe leftmost column.

The examples of FIG. 40 are merely typical and are shown only forillustration. In many situations rights may be allocated differently. Ifdesired, other parties may be assigned rights levels. For example,rights may be assigned to financial institutions, the operators of labs,order fulfillment facilities, or any other suitable facility or partyoperating a facility. Moreover, rights (1)-(8) of FIG. 40 are merelyillustrative. Rights may be assigned to control access to any othersuitable system function or feature. For example, rights levels may beset for financial functions such as accessing account information,redeeming credit, transferring funds between accounts (e.g., between anaccount at the order servicing equipment and a financial institution orbetween two financial institutions. Rights levels may also be set fororder fulfillment functions, such as functions related to payment (typeof credit card used, whether credit is allowed, etc.), checking on orderstatus, changing shipment methods, tracking shipment, and any otherfunctions related to order fulfillment. If desired, the photographer maybe allowed to set rights levels, as illustrated in the typicalcommercial scenario of FIG. 40. Allowing the photographer to set rightslevels allows the photographer control of the service, so that thephotographer can tailor the features of the system toward thephotographer's intended audience without involvement of the operator ofthe order servicing equipment.

Rights levels may be set during a custom setup procedure in which thephotographer, order servicing equipment operator, or other partyestablishes the rights levels for each party. If desired, rights levelsmay be selected automatically by the system when the photographerinitially identifies the type of assignment involved. For example, thesystem may set rights levels when the photographer submits images andcustomer information for a new assignment using a web page such as webpage 316 of FIG. 19 and identifies the assignment type by selecting oneof options 320. These are merely illustrative techniques forestablishing rights levels. Any suitable technique for establishingdifferent rights levels for different parties may be used if desired.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, order servicing equipment 16 may containorder servicing computer 46. Order servicing computer 46 may be used toplace images on-line for customers to order and may be used to handlevarious tasks associated with producing image-based products andservices. Order servicing computer 46 may be a single computer ormultiple interconnected computers. If multiple computers are used, theymay be interconnected using any suitable communications paths ornetwork. For example, such multiple computers may be interconnected bytelephone lines or a communications network such as communicationsnetwork 18 (FIGS. 3 and 5).

If desired, order servicing equipment 16 may use processing labequipment that is separate from and potentially remote from the computerused to place images on-line and used to handle other tasks associatedwith providing image-based products and services. As shown in FIG. 41,for example, order servicing equipment 16 may include a computer 618 forplacing images on-line that is separate from processing lab 620 that isused to process images. Computer 618 may be remote from processing lab620. For example, computer 618 may be located in one city and processinglab 620 may be located in another city. Computer 618 may have web servercapabilities to place images on-line in the form of web pages. Ifdesired, the functions of computer 618 may be performed by a number oflinked computers (e.g., computers linked by a network or othercommunications paths). Processing lab 620 may be used to develop film(if undeveloped film is provided by the photographer) and may be used toprint images (for film-based or digital images). Processing lab 620 maycommunicate with computer 618 using any suitable communicationstechnique. For example, processing lab 620 may be interconnected withcomputer 618 using communications network 18, which may be, for example,the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network, a privatenetwork, the public switched telephone network, or other suitablecommunications path. Computer 618 and processing lab 620 may also beconnected by direct communications link 622, which may be acommunications link such as a cable or fiber optic link. This approachmay be particularly appropriate when computer 618 and processing lab 620are located in the same vicinity. If desired, processing lab 620 mayhave a computer 624. Computer 624 may be used to facilitatecommunications between processing lab 620 and computer 618 and tofacilitate communications between processing lab 620 and otherfacilities. Computer 624 may also be used in the operation of processinglab 620. For example, computer 624 may be used to control equipment suchas image digitizing equipment, printing equipment, mailing equipment,etc. If desired, some of the functions of computer 618 may be performedby computer 624 or in cooperation with computer 624.

The amount of money spent by the customer, the photographer, both thecustomer and photographer, or any other suitable party or group ofparties may be used to earn loyalty rewards. For example, the amount ofmoney spent by the customer, the photographer, or both may be used toearn the photographer loyalty rewards from the operator of orderservicing equipment 16. When the photographer has accumulated asufficient amount of loyalty reward credit, the photographer may becomeentitled to free products or services, discounts on products orservices, or cash rewards. Suitable reward products include film andother photographic supplies and non-photographic items such as householdappliances, luggage, clothing, furnishings, etc. The reward services maybe photographic services such as film developing or non-photographicservices such as travel or financial services. The loyalty rewardscredited to the photographer are preferably provided in addition to thefinancial rewards credited to the photographer in connection with eachnormal transaction. Loyalty rewards may be used to encouragephotographer loyalty to a particular order processing operator or brandof operator.

If desired, loyalty rewards may be redeemed on-line through a web siteor other suitable interface. An illustrative loyalty rewards redemptionweb page that may be provided by the system is shown in FIG. 42. A webpage such as loyalty rewards redemption web page 626 of FIG. 42 may beused to provide the photographer with an opportunity to redeem a loyaltyreward by clicking on an option such as one of options 628 for a desiredloyalty reward product or service. If desired, each option 628 maycontain a picture of the product or service associated with the option.Loyalty rewards redemption page 626 may be used to provide thephotographer with information such as account balance information 630 onthe amount of loyalty reward credit that the photographer hasaccumulated. This information and access to reward redemption functionsmay be controlled by, for example, requiring the photographer to providean account number, password, or other such information. The photographermay be required to provide the photographer's normal account number andpassword, may be required to provide a special loyalty rewards accountnumber or password, or may be required to provide other informationidentifying the photographer.

Loyalty rewards redemption page 626 may be used to provide thephotographer with an opportunity to earn loyalty rewards or other creditsuch as a monetary referral fee for each additional photographer thatthey refer to the system. For example, loyalty rewards redemption page626 may be used to provide a selectable option such as option 632 thatwhen selected allows the photographer to enter information to identify aparty that the photographer wishes to refer to, e.g., the operator ofthe order servicing equipment.

Loyalty rewards redemption page 626 is only an illustrative example of asuitable way in which to provide loyalty reward features. Any othersuitable approach for providing these features may be used if desired.For example, these features may be provided without using web pages. Thephotographer or other loyalty rewards party may be provided withinformation on the loyalty rewards program, redemption options, referraloptions, and the like over the telephone or through the mail.

In some of the foregoing examples, the photographer, customer, and otherparties are provided with on-line access to certain system featuresthrough the Internet using web pages. The photographer, customer, orother party may use a web browser to access such web pages. This type ofarrangement is only illustrative. Any suitable arrangement may be usedto provide the photographer, customer, or other party with access to thesystem features of interest. For example, interactive screens may beprovided to various parties that do not rely on web page protocols.Rather than using a web browser to access information at a remotelocation over the communications network, a party may use anothersuitable application that supports network communications. Applicationsmay generate screens locally that present information and on-screenoptions to various parties. Moreover, features that have been describedas being suitable to provide using non-web-browser applications may, ifdesired, be provided by using a web browser to present web pages.Features that have been described as being provided on a single page orscreen may generally be provided using multiple pages or screens.Features that have been described as being provided on multiple screensor pages may generally be provided on a single screen or page or on adifferent group of screens or pages.

The computers used for the customer computer, photographer computer,order servicing equipment computer, customer information collectioncomputer, and other computers may be any suitable processing deviceincluding mainframe computers, workstations, networked computers,personal computers, notebook or laptop computers, handheld computingdevices, personal digital assistants, set-top boxes, or any othersuitable computing device. Certain devices are favored in certainsituations due to considerations such as size, cost, and complexity. Forexample, mainframe computers may be used at order servicing equipment,but may be less desirable in the field for use in collecting customerinformation.

The foregoing is merely illustrative of the principles of this inventionand various modifications can be made by those skilled in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

1. Order servicing equipment for an on-line system that allows a user toorder image-based products over the Internet, comprising: at least oneorder servicing computer that receives an uploaded digital image overthe Internet; and digital printing equipment, wherein the orderservicing computer is configured to present the user with an opportunityto view the uploaded digital image on-line over the Internet, whereinthe order servicing computer is configured to provide the user with anopportunity to edit the uploaded digital image on-line over theInternet, wherein the digital printing equipment is configured to printthe edited digital image to create a print for framing, and wherein theorder servicing computer is configured to present the user with anopportunity to select a given type of frame for the print, wherein theorder servicing computer is configured to e-mail a message to a partyother than the user over the Internet, wherein the message includes aURL that allows the party to view and order prints of the edited digitalimage on-line using a web browser.
 2. The order servicing equipmentdefined in claim 1 wherein the print is framed using the selected frameafter the user places an order, and wherein the order servicingequipment further comprises packaging equipment that is used inpackaging the framed print that the user ordered for mailing.
 3. Theorder servicing equipment defined in claim 1 wherein the order servicingcomputer is configured to allow the user to crop the uploaded digitalimage on-line.
 4. The order servicing equipment defined in claim 3wherein the order servicing computer is configured to provide the userwith an opportunity to set up an account at the order servicingequipment by providing a name, e-mail address, and password and isconfigured to provide the user with an opportunity to provide textassociated with the uploaded digital image using the Internet.
 5. Theorder servicing equipment defined in claim 3 wherein the order servicingcomputer is configured to allow the user to change the uploaded digitalimage from color to black-and-white during editing on-line.
 6. The orderservicing equipment defined in claim 5 wherein the order servicingcomputer is configured to allow the user to change the uploaded digitalimage contrast during editing on-line.
 7. The order servicing equipmentdefined in claim 1 wherein the order servicing computer is configured toprovide the user with an on-line opportunity to order frames ofdifferent colors and is configured to provide the user with an on-lineopportunity to order albums of different materials.
 8. The orderservicing equipment defined in claim 1 wherein the order servicingcomputer is configured to allow the user to add audio to the uploadeddigital image over the Internet.
 9. The order servicing equipmentdefined in claim 1 wherein the order servicing computer is configured toprovide the user with an on-line opportunity to select from frames ofdifferent colors and mats of different colors and is configured toprovide the user with an on-line opportunity to order a framed print ofthe digital image, wherein the framed print uses the selected frame andthe selected mat.
 10. The order servicing equipment defined in claim 9wherein the order servicing computer is configured to provide the userwith an on-line opportunity to select from different mat styles, whereinthe framed print uses the selected mat style.
 11. The order servicingequipment defined in claim 1 wherein the order servicing computer isconfigured to provide the user with an opportunity to order a print of adigital image that includes the user as a subject and that includes abackground different than the background against which the user wasoriginally photographed.
 12. Order servicing equipment that allowscustomers to place on-line orders for prints of digital images taken bya photographer at an event, comprising: at least one order servicingcomputer, wherein the order servicing computer is provided with thedigital images taken by the photographer and is provided with customerinformation including a customer list that includes names of thecustomers for the event, wherein the order servicing computer uses anassignment title to identify the event, wherein the order servicingcomputer is configured to provide the customers with an on-lineopportunity to select the given event from a list of events, wherein inat least some of the digital images a customer in the customer list is asubject of the digital image, wherein the order servicing computer isconfigured to use the customer information in providing each of thecustomers with an opportunity to place an on-line order for a print ofat least one of the digital images to be mailed to the customer.
 13. Theorder servicing equipment defined in claim 12 wherein at least one ofthe customers was originally photographed against a solid colorbackground to produce a digital image and wherein that digital image wasmanipulated to replace the solid color background with a new background,and wherein a print of the digital image that includes the customer withthe new background is provided for on-line ordering by the customer overthe Internet.
 14. The order servicing equipment defined in claim 12wherein the order servicing computer is configured to provide each ofthe customers with an on-line opportunity to select a frame and to ordera print of one of the digital images in the selected frame.
 15. Theorder servicing equipment defined in claim 12 wherein the orderservicing computer is configured to allow the customers to crop thedigital images on-line before placing orders for the digital images. 16.The order servicing equipment defined in claim 12 wherein the orderservicing computer is configured to provide opportunities for on-linecustomer editing of the digital images, wherein the order servicingcomputer is configured to provide the customers with on-lineopportunities to order framed prints of the digital images, wherein theorder servicing computer is configured to provide the customers withon-line opportunities to order prints of digital images of customers inwhich original backgrounds have been replaced by new backgrounds, andwherein the new backgrounds contain images of people.
 17. Orderservicing equipment that allows customers to place on-line orders forprints of digital images taken by a photographer at an event, wherein atleast some of the digital images include the customers, comprising: atleast one order servicing computer, wherein the order servicing computeris provided with the digital images taken by the photographer and isprovided with customer information identifying at least some of thecustomer in the digital images, wherein the order servicing computer isconfigured to allow the customers to view the digital images over theInternet using a web browser, wherein the order servicing computer isconfigured to provide the customers with opportunities to order wood andmetal framed prints of the digital images over the Internet, wherein atleast one of the customers was originally photographed against a solidcolor background to produce a digital image and wherein that digitalimage was manipulated to replace the solid color background with a newbackground, and wherein the order servicing computer is configured toprovide the customer with an on-line opportunity to order a print of thedigital image that includes the customer with the new background. 18.The order servicing equipment defined in claim 17 wherein the orderservicing computer is configured to provide the digital images to aprocessing lab in a different city than the order servicing computer forprinting.